The 18th Tenn. Inf. was a part of the march through Western Kentucky in late Septemberthe fall of 1861 led by Gen. S.B. Buckner. The march included a minor skirmish near Rochester, KY, destroying the Lock on the Green River at Skilesville,(west of Rochester), and a skirmish at Hopkinsville,KY.

The 18th was not involved in the two events near Rochester, however. The 18th was part of the reserve a few miles north of Russellville. The unit did not rejoin the march until after the Lock was destroyed. The marched into Greenville, KY with Buckners force.